KWT vs. XLFI

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

KWT (iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF) and XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KWT is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Kuwait Select Size Liquidity Capped Index, while XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. KWT is passively managed, while XLFI is actively managed. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KWT charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLFI.

Performance

KWT vs. XLFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KWT achieves a -3.40% return, which is significantly lower than XLFI's 1.85% return.

KWT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -3.28%
• 6M: -1.77%
• YTD: -3.40%
• 1Y: -2.09%
• 3Y*: 7.37%
• 5Y*: 8.57%
• 10Y*: —

XLFI

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.48%
• 6M: 0.88%
• YTD: 1.85%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

KWT vs. XLFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KWT iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF	-3.40%	2.83%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	1.85%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between KWT and XLFI is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.26

KWT vs. XLFI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KWT	XLFI
Financial Services	66.0%	99.9%
Real Estate	11.3%	-
Industrials	9.5%	-
Communication Services	6.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.7%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

KWT vs. XLFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

KWT

KWT Risk / Return Rank: 7
KWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
KWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
KWT Omega Ratio Rank: 7
KWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
KWT Martin Ratio Rank: 7

XLFI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

KWT vs. XLFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.13	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.40	—	—

Drawdowns

KWT vs. XLFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KWT drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, which is greater than XLFI's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KWT and XLFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.37%	-11.89%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.22%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.07%	0.00%	-8.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-3.17%	-4.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.24%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	KWT	XLFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.40%	12.02%	+1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.65%	12.02%	+1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.92%	12.02%	+1.90%

KWT vs. XLFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

KWT has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than XLFI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

KWT vs. XLFI - Dividend Comparison

KWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.70%, less than XLFI's 11.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
KWT iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF	5.70%	5.40%	6.09%	2.25%	5.87%	7.65%	0.27%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.44%	5.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KWT and XLFI in my portfolio?

KWT and XLFI have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, KWT or XLFI?

On fees, XLFI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, KWT or XLFI?

XLFI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for KWT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KWT or XLFI?

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 11.44%, compared with 5.70% for KWT.

What is the main difference between KWT and XLFI?

KWT is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLFI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for KWT and 0.35% for XLFI.